Byelection called for Regina Northeast riding for Sept. 12

The byelection for the Regina Northeast riding will take place Sept. 12., Premier Scott Moe announced Thursday.

The riding was formerly represented by former MLA Kevin Doherty, who left politics in March to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. 

NDP candidate Yens Pedersen, Saskatchewan Party candidate Gary Grewal and Green Party candidate Jessica Schroeder will face off next month.

Grewal, who is currently president of the India Canada Association of Saskatchewan, defeated Gwyn Tremblay for the nomination. 

"Well, I've been knocking the doors since [the] last week of May and we're getting very positive feedback," Grewal said. "All the constituents here in Northeast think that [the] carbon tax is absolutely not acceptable."

Grewal said he once moved to Toronto, but could not stay there "for even six months and [I] moved back."

"I think Saskatchewan is a beautiful province. People are very friendly here," he said.

Pedersen grew up on a farm near Cut Knife, Sask., and has worked as a lawyer in Regina over the past 20 years. He is running for the third time.

He told reporters Thursday that the people he's talked with are "disappointed with this government's record of attacks on Crown corporations." 

"They're really concerned and impacted by the cuts to education in particular and also health," he said.

Pedersen also said he would describe himself has an "ordinary" guy. 

"I like craft beer, I'm a beekeeper, I'm a lawyer, [I've] got a family … Fairly ordinary things."

Schroeder works in sales of reusable goods.